When the clock struck double zeros, the scoreboard read 51-17 in favor of Arizona State over Colorado. From the box score, the contest didn't seem close. But if you look deeper into the encounter, Colorado surprisingly had ASU on its heels heading into halftime.
There were 30 minutes remaining, and the Sun Devils held a minuscule 20-17 advantage over the Buffaloes. The upset alert felt real. Jordan Webb and the Colorado offense didn't tally any points in the first quarter, yet 17 points in the second quarter put the Buffaloes within striking range.
After the disappointing start, Todd Graham rallied the troops and demanded better. Taylor Kelly and the offense complied. In the second half, ASU put up 31 points while the defense shut out Colorado. The renewed sense of urgency could be seen via the first play after the intermission, as Rashad Ross took the kick return to the house.
Running back Cameron Marshall probably remembers the game well. He had one of his best games of the season with 98 yards and one trip to pay dirt.
Despite the solid numbers from Marshall, he wasn't even the best running back on his team. Marion Grice failed to accumulate any rushing yards, but his five receptions for 101 yards and three touchdowns stole the show.
While Taylor Kelly continues to receive criticism for his play on the road, playing at Colorado must be an exception. Kelly went 20-for-28 with 308 yards and five touchdowns.
51 points garnered the headlines for ASU. Conversely, surrendering only 255 yards on the game may be just as impressive.
The Sun Devils ran their record to 5-1 after defeating the Buffaloes in 2012.